Cookie Jar Entertainment has appointed Ann Austen Senior Vice-President, Development and Television/Video Sales. The announcement was made by Toper Taylor, Cookie Jar Entertainment President and COO, on February 8th, 2007.
“As Cookie Jar Entertainment develops its growing portfolio of properties, we are seeking out the best executive talent to oversee all areas of development and sales,” said Taylor. “We are pleased to welcome Ann to Cookie Jar and we look forward to utilizing her production and development expertise as we continue to deliver quality programming.”
In her new position, Austen will be responsible for developing Cookie Jar�s original properties and television/video sales within the United States. Based in Cookie Jar�s Los Angeles office, Austen will report to Taylor.
A seasoned executive in childrenâ€?s program development, Austen joins Cookie Jar Entertainment with more than 15 years of experience, having worked on such shows as “Mighty Morphinâ€? Power Rangers,” the top-rated kidsâ€? series of all time, Humanitas-nominated “Johnny Tsunami,” and “Motocrossed.”
Austen began her career at Fox Broadcasting Company and then moved to Fox Kids Network where she served as Director of Programming of “Fox Clubhouse,” the successful and innovative pre-school programming block. She also oversaw the development and production of “Might Morphinâ€? Power Rangers,” “Animaniacs” and “Tom & Jerryâ€?s Kids”.
Following her tenure at Fox Kids Network, Austen co-produced the “Power Rangers,” “VR Troopers” and “Masked Rider” for Saban Entertainment. She went on to serve as the co-executive producer of the critically-acclaimed NBC series for teens, “SK8”.